CHESHIRE East bosses say the future for Middlewich library is looking bright - despite the threat of cuts nationwide.

A damning Government report has revealed that the number of adults visiting libraries has fallen steadily for five years.

There is now speculation that around 600 to 1,000 libraries could close in the next 18 months.

But Cheshire East Council says the management of its libraries has been a success.

There have been two million visitors between 2009 and 2010 and an increase in issues by 12 per cent between July 2009 and July 2010.

A spokesman said: “Cheshire East constantly reviews all its services including libraries to ensure that they are run as efficiently and effectively as possible.

“The general future for libraries in Cheshire East is good. The council recognises the value of libraries and rather than cut them is growing them.”

Some of this growth has come from integrating the authority’s ‘one stop shop’ council information service into the libraries.

This means people can pay Council Tax and bills and discuss council services at the library.

Clr Andrew Knowles, cabinet member for health and leisure, added: “People are coming into the library that have never been before.

“They’re coming in for a reason and then staying there for more so we’ve got a new audience.”

Cheshire East chiefs are also hoping to attract people to libraries with supermarket-style self service technology.

Clr Knowles told the Guardian that it should be available at Middlewich library in Lewin Street within 12 months.

The report by the Department for Culture, Media and Sports has revealed that the number of weekly library goers in England has gone down by 32 per cent in five years.

More than 60 per cent have not been in a library in the last year.

Some have described the report as ‘softening up the public’ for the destruction of the library service.

Clr Knowles said: “I’ve seen some ideas where they want to put libraries in pubs or doctors’ surgeries.

“But if libraries are to exist they need to be more than just coming in for a book - you can do that on the internet or in the supermarket.

“You need to offer more than that. It’s great to see children coming into the library as it’s another world for them and also older residents too. It’s a very friendly environment.”

Libraries in Cheshire East cost each Council Tax payer less than 5p per day.